Many social events organised by both the social committee and management, conducted in the lower level of the clubhouse, have attendance restricted to the first 150 residents.
Residents, quite rightly, are asking why.
With the current resident population of the village nearing 700, it is worth questioning why organized events by both the social committee and management are limited to the first 150 residents who quickly sign up on the attendance list.
Editor's Note: - It is important to acknowledge that this does not reflect negatively on the efforts of the current Social Committee or Management, as this practice seems to be historically linked to the village's early days when there were fewer residents.
While 150 attendees may seem significant for an organized event, for a retirement village of this estate's size, it only represents approximately 20% of the total resident population. An alternative perspective is that nearly 80% of the village residents are unable to attend most of the organized events.
It is not unreasonable to assume that as all residents pay their recurring fees, all residents should be given an equal opportunity/option to attend a function organised by the social committee or management. For many residents who attempt to put their names down for such organised events, they are informed that the event is already booked out.
Alternate view
If the events are so popular, then perhaps the social committee and/or management could run more than just one event of the same nature. This would provide the opportunity for at least double the number of residents to attend organised events. To prevent doubling up, residents should be restricted to one attendance per event.
This scenario would still only allow the possibility of 300 residents to attend such events, which is still less than 50% of the resident population.
Still, you have to start somewhere, and when you consider that for numerous events the social committee utilises residents' funds to subsidise the costs of bands and food for the enjoyment of residents that attend such events, the same opportunity should be provided to a greater number of our residents, not just the first and quite often the same 150 residents who attend such events.
Got to try something
If management and the social committee continue in the same vein, as the village grows even larger, the chance of greater social interaction for 700 residents and the possibility of 1,100 residents will decrease.
The job of both the social committee and management is to encourage greater social interaction amongst its residents, not to continue with a limited number of opportunities, which in itself can be divisive and as some residents openly state, is seen as limited opportunities for friends or supporters of management and/or the social committee.
If the operator wants such a large village, one would think the would want all residents to be treated equally, providing the same opportunity for all residents to attend any organised social events, should they wish.
The restrictive nature of the first 150 residents to get their names on an attendance list, seems somewhat archaic in this day and age, especially in an enclosed village such as this one.
Perhaps some thought should be given to organising additional events of a similar nature so that a greater number of residents are provided with the opportunity to attend events organised by both the social committee and management.
